Chris Cornell death ruled suicide

Chris Cornell took his own life following a performance with Soundgarden in Detroit earlier this week, a medical examiner has ruled.

As previously reported, the band’s PR rep Brian Bumbery announced yesterday morning that Cornell had died “suddenly and unexpectedly”, aged 52. No indication of the cause of death was immediately given.

The band performed a sold out show at Detroit’s Fox Theater on Wednesday night, after which Cornell was found dead in his hotel room some hours later.

In a statement yesterday, Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office said: “The cause of death has been determined as hanging by suicide. A full autopsy report has not yet been completed”.

The remainder of Soundgarden’s tour dates have been cancelled, as has Pointfest in St Louis, Missouri, which the band were due to headline tomorrow night. In a statement, organisers said yesterday: “It is with deep regret, we are announcing that due to the sudden passing of Chris Cornell of Soundgarden last night, Pointfest on Saturday is cancelled”.

Among the other artists paying tribute to Cornell yesterday were Elton John, who described him as “a great singer, songwriter and the loveliest man”, and Jimmy Page, who said that Cornell was “Incredibly talented, incredibly young [and] incredibly missed”.

Writing on Instagram, Cornell’s Audioslave bandmate Tom Morello wrote: “I love you, brother. Thank you for your friendship and your humour and your intellect and your singular and unmatched talent. It was a great honour to know you as a friend and as a band mate. I am devastated and deeply saddened that you are gone dear friend, but your unbridled rock power, delicate haunting melodies and the memory of your smile are with us forever. Your beautiful voice and beautiful self will always be in my heart. God bless you and your family”.

If you are experiencing mental distress, you can contact The Samaritans on 116 123, or by emailing jo@samaritans.org. The Mind website also offers information and support on a range of mental health issues.